WASHINGTON: The US Defence Intelligence Agency has informed Congress that Pakistani military and paramilitary forces have succeeded in driving militants out of most population centres in North Waziristan.

In his annual report to the House Armed Services Com­mittee, Director Defence Intelligence Agency, Lt Gen Vincent R. Stewart, also said the Pakistani forces, which launched a military operation in Fata last summer, remained deployed in the tribal and settled areas of KP.

Also read: Operation Zarb-i-Azb disrupted Haqqani network: US general

“Army ground operations in North Waziristan Agency have cleared anti-state militants from most population centres, and we expect the military will continue targeting remaining militant strongholds in 2015,” he said.

The report notes that the Dec 26 TTP attack on a Peshawar school had “embol­dened military efforts against anti-state militants, including intensified air strikes against TTP leadership and fighters”.

‘Forces have driven militants out of most population centres in North Waziristan’

It also notes that the government and military “are working together to implement a national action plan against terrorism, which includes the establishment of military courts.”

But the report warns that despite ongoing military operations, “Pakistan will continue to face internal security threats from militant, sectarian, and separatist groups”.

Additionally, Pakistan remains concerned about ISIS outreach and propaganda in South Asia.

Gen Stewart informed lawmakers that Pakistan also continued to take steps to improve security of its nuclear arsenal.

“We anticipate that Pakistan will continue deve­lopment of new delivery systems, including cruise missiles and close-range ‘battlefield’ nuclear weapons to augment its existing ballistic missiles,” he added.

The agency’s worldwide threat assessment also notes that India is in the midst of a major military modernisation effort — undertaken by all three military services — to address problems with its ageing equipment and to “better posture itself to defend against both Pakistan and China”.

It also notes that India’s relations with Pakistan remain strained. Both sides engaged in periodic skirmishes on or near the Line of Control, resulting in the highest number of civilian casualties since 2003.

“Occasional unofficial Track-II dialogue continued throughout the year, but resulted in little progress in resolving bilateral disputes.”

India also is concerned over China’s increased activity in South Asia and the Indian Ocean.

The report points out that India continues to conduct periodic tests of its nuclear-capable missiles to enhance and verify missile reliability and capabilities.

In early December 2014, India successfully tested the Agni-IV intermediate-range ballistic missile, which New Delhi claims has a range of 4,000 kilometres. India will continue developing an ICBM, the Agni-VI, which will reportedly carry multiple warheads, and is working on the development of several variants of a submarine-launched ballistic missile.

Turning to Afghanistan, the report notes that the still-developing Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) remain stalemated with the Taliban-led insurgency. “In 2015, we expect the ANSF to maintain stability and security in Kabul and key urban areas while retaining freedom of movement on major highways,” Gen Stewart said.

“However, the Taliban, Al Qaeda, and their extremist allies will likely seek to exploit the reduced coalition presence by pressuring ANSF units in rural areas, conducting high profile attacks in major population centres, and expanding their safe havens,” he warned.

The report described the Afghan National Army as “the most proficient” security institution in Afghanistan.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2015

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